King Charles has recorded his Christmas speech in a former hospital chapel in a huge break from royal tradition.
This year’s Christmas message from King Charles will be delivered from a former hospital chapel, in a year in which the King has been undergoing cancer treatment.
The location for the traditional Christmas Day broadcast is the Fitzrovia Chapel in central London, according to The Telegraph, which once served as the chapel of the Middlesex Hospital.
This marks the first time in more than a decade that the Christmas speech has been recorded from a place that is not in a royal Palace or estate.
King Charles records Christmas speech in former hospital chapel in huge break from royal tradition
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It is also understood that the King wanted a location with a healthcare connection.
The ornately-decorated 19th Century former chapel building is now used for exhibitions and community events for people of any faiths and none.
As well as a link to the health services, the building also ties in with the King’s interest in trying to build bridges between different beliefs, backgrounds and religions.
The traditional speech from the monarch, recorded earlier this month, will be broadcast on GB News at 3pm on Christmas Day.
King Charles recorded the speech in the Fitzrovia Chapel
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The Christmas message comes at the end of a year in which the King faced a cancer diagnosis.
His regular sessions of treatment are continuing, as they have for much of this year.
However, as a sign of a positive response, he has plans for a busy schedule of engagements and overseas trips in 2025.
Setting the speech in this former hospital chapel, which was renovated and reopened in 2016, will be a reminder of those working in the health services and medical research.
King Charles posing for his Christmas speech back in 2023
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King Charles’s Christmas message will be broadcast on GB News at 3pm
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The small chapel, decorated in the Gothic Revival style with shimmering mosaics and Byzantine influences, is tucked away in Pearson Square, in a quiet corner of London’s West End.
It was built in the courtyard of what was the Middlesex Hospital, serving its staff and patients.
When the hospital was demolished the chapel was retained and restored, with a new development built around it.
It is no longer regularly used for services, but is used for community events and concerts and is open to visitors wanting some quiet contemplation.